Jazz Girl wrote:I don't know that I can agree completely that Edward is necessarily Carlisle and Esme's favorite. I too have read the PC, and absolutely believe that they have a special affection for Edward as the "eldest" but also as the youngest (he is chronologically youngest of all of the siblings). And, as SM points out, he is naturally a good person and a leader. But, I don't think that is neccesarily the same thing. I guess I define "favorite" as giving him special treatment, an inequality in affection shown etc.. But, I think, in Esme and Carlisle's case, they are parents who are truly able love each of their children as individuals; communicate and support each one equally in a way that is appropriate for each of their personalities. And, it is for that reason that I think they consider Jasper to be just as much one of their children as Edward or Alice or Rose or Emmett.

I think it might appear to us as readers that Edward is their favorite particularly because of the circumstances under which we see them interacting. Edward has been unattached for so long, to the point of worrying Esme that he is missing an essential part of his adult make up because he was so young when he was turned. And, he is the child with the greatest needs during the time we get to watch their life unfold. So, it is natural that we would see Esme and Carlisle working hardest to help him, to support him. But, for example, I think the same would be seen of their support and help for Jasper after the birthday party, but we don't get to see that.

As for where Bella fits into the mix, I think they view her as a daughter, not a daughter-in-law. I agree with Heart_In_Hand that Bella was truly the other half to Edward, and that is how they came to know her. But, just as they did with Emmett and Jasper, they very quickly came to know and love Bella for being Bella, not the other half of Edward. That certainly enhanced the package. But, again, I see Esme and Carlisle as parents whose children are each unique gifts to them to be loved as individuals.

Thank you Jazz Girl, that's what I was trying to say when I said they don't have favorites, even after reading all the PCs, which I've done an unhealthy amount of times. I never thought the Cullens believe any of their family members to be in-laws. I think that once you have been welcomed into the family, you're just as much their child as your mate. I think that if we were to read the books from Esme or Carlisle's POV we'd see them spend an equal amount of time with, and show an equal and different type of love for each of their children... now I have another companion book to fruitlessly wish for!

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(I might gave missed these details in the PCs somewhere, if so, please point me in the right direction )

We know that Carlisle met Esme when she was 16 and had a broken leg. I'm pretty sure the PCs mention that Esme always remembered the kind, good looking doctor. (1) Do you think Carlisle held on to his memory of Esme, and if so, what did he hold on to? (2) Do you think there was some kind of connection between the two of them even back then? (3) And do you think that because Carlisle was so desensitized to human blood that he would have even able noticed had Esme been his "singer'?

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Yes, SM tells us in PC 1 that Carlisle remembered Esme perfectly, remembered her as the happy young woman he had treated those several years ago. I think that is the key. He remembered her as happy and carefree. Yet, she has become this despondent and desperate woman who threw herself off of a cliff. He didn't want her to die, and I think he was moved to bring back that happy, carefree young woman he'd known, however briefly.

I do believe there was a strong connection between them. In the same PC, SM tells us that Esme "never got over the experience" of meeting Carlisle, of being in his care. SM describes Carlisle as the "vampire/man of her dreams". I can only imagine how Esme would have felt opening her eyes to see that beautiful, loving face staring at her, staying with her through the torture of the transformation, and then explaining to her that they would be together forever, if she was willing. And, I think for Carlisle, it was the same way. Much like Edward, his first and every instinct is to make Esme happy, to bring back the smile that had been missing when he first saw her again.

No, I don't think Carlisle was desensitized to the blood, as much as he was in complete control of his bloodlust. The scent, the physical reaction to it, was still there. But, he had learned to control how his body and mind reacted to it. I like to think it is likely that Esme might have been Carlisle's singer. He had Edward as a companion at that point, a friend with whom to share his life. And, we know that Carlisle questioned his decisions to turn Edward and Rose, but we never hear that he questioned his decision to turn Esme. Taking Carlisle's nature into account, I think there had to be a stronger reason for him to turn her than just his desire for a mate. Carlisle isn't that selfish. So, yes, I think it is possible that Esme was his singer. And, I think, because of his self-control and compassion, it would actually be easier for him to recognize the meaning of his reaction to her, what it meant, than for any other vampire.

The only glitch in that reasoning is his reaction with Edward when Edward encounters Bella. If Esme was his singer and he recognized that for what it was, wouldn't he recognize the same thing in Edward and Bella, be able to explain and reassure Edward about what it might mean? So, while I like to think it is likely, I just can't say for sure.

Heart_In_Hand, PC refers to the personal correspondence written by Stephenie Meyer to various admins on the Lex over a few years. They are full of some fantastic information, background stories and fillings in for some of our blanks. I think RoseAurora provided a link above, but if you go the the Lexicon Blog site, and click on the bios/timelines link on the top, there are about 10 PCs, plus some other great information. Plan on a good night's worth of reading. Enjoy!!!

As for "another book or something", I think you are referring to DHN, or Dark High Noon, which has become the Lex codename for the book that shall not be named until such time as the author feels comfortable in completeing and publishing it.

I'm going to read those blogs now. I like the "code name" thing. I, for one, sincerely hope that DHN will become something that we can openly reference with all the same affection we have of the other books... someday.

What part of the Saga would you like to read from Carlisle's POV? Why?

Easy! New Moon!

I would LOVE to know what he said to Edward about leaving Bella, what he and Esme did while Edward was away, and how he felt when he heard about Edward's plan to commit suicide and what Alice and Bella were doing to stop him. It might be a little short, but Carlisle's opinion always mattered a lot to Edward, so I'd like to see how he responded to Edward's choice to leave. I really want to know! I wish SM could tell me!